“One of my older neighbors,” Stan began, “apparently was a pretty good golfer when he was younger.”
“How good?” I asked.
“Not certain,” Stan replied. “He likes to tell stories of his prowess on the golf course, but he has the tendency to tell the same stories, but with different facts.”
“How so?”
“Well,” Stan responded, “it seems that the older he gets, the better he was!
Continuing, he said, “Let’s just say that he kind exaggerates just how good he was. The drive that was two hundred and fifty yards near the green on the short par four has magically landed on the green, just short of the hole”
“Fairly typical with a lot of people, isn’t it?”
“I suppose so,” Stan replied, “but whenever I am tempted, shall we say, to embellish the truth, I try to focus on what the writer of the letter to the Hebrews said about storytelling.”
“Storytelling?” I responded.
“Yes,” Stan said, “storytelling about Jesus.”
Continuing, he said, “Jesus doesn’t change. The writer of the letter to the Hebrews points out that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
“Okay,” I replied. “Jesus doesn’t change. But do you?”
“That’s my prayer and my commitment,” Stan replied. “That I will actually change in accordance with the One who does not change. That I will truly change, not just tell a different story.”
Continuing, he said, “That’s what I think the road towards transformation from conversion is all about. If I have to tell a different story, rather than being or living a different story, I think I am on the wrong track.”
“Being versus telling,” I responded. “What does that look like?”
“For me,” Stan replied, “it’s getting myself out of the way so the indwelling Holy Spirit can manifest the Risen Christ in and through me. I am to let the life that doesn’t change actually change me.”
Continuing, he said “If I have to try to convince someone I have changed, I probably have not. But that’s another story for another day!”
“So,” I responded, “there is to be a changed story, but it has to be the truth. Is that what you are saying?”
“Exactly, my friend,” Stan replied. “I am to change. I am not to be the same as I was, but the story of that change is to be lived, not just talked about. It’s okay to talk about it, but the more important part is that it be lived.”
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Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever. Hebrews 13:8.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, that you do not change. Thank you that your Son, Christ Jesus, does not change. You know how much I tend to change from day to day. My prayer is that you will move me to change only in the ways you want. I confess that too often I do not surrender to the leading of the Holy Spirit to be changed in being more like Jesus. Please forgive me. And please help me in following every step of your lead to change only in the ways you want. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
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Things to think (and journal) about:
1. What is your biggest take-away from this devotional?
2. What does this devotional say about God and about us as His people?
3. What is God saying to you to do personally?
4. Who can you share this with to make a difference?
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Comments, questions, suggestions, and the like can be addressed to The Storyteller at: waiting4thetrain@gmail.com.
Waiting for the Train 
Yes, Again, I can personally identify and recognize in my own life that “the story” can change, depending on who I talk with and how bold I am in the story I tell regarding Christ working in and through my life!
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